Moderator: Jochen M. Schneider (Professor of Materials Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University)

Event Description: The Sustainable Surface Engineering Colloquium, held as part of TechCon 2026 of the Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC), will serve as a dedicated forum for researchers, engineers, technologists, and industry leaders to examine and advance  the state of the art in environmentally responsible surface technologies. This event aims to highlight not only emerging technical innovations but also the broader systems-level thinking required to make surface engineering processes more resource-efficient,  resilient, and aligned with global sustainability goals.

The session will open with an impulse talk by Prof. Christoph Herrmann of Fraunhofer IST, Braunschweig, Germany, whose research focuses on life-cycle engineering and sustainable manufacturing. His presentation will provide a conceptual and analytical foundation for understanding how sustainability metrics, process modeling, and circular-economy principles can be applied within the field of vacuum coating and surface modification.

Following this keynote impulse, four concise pitch presentations will be delivered by distinguished panel members, each representing a different segment of the international surface engineering community:

• Christoph Herrmann (Fraunhofer IST, Braunschweig, Germany)
• André Anders (Plasma Engineering LLC, USA)
• Klaus Böbel (Oerlikon, Liechtenstein)
• Tetsuya Takahashi (Kobelco, Japan)
• Christoph Schiffers (CemeCon AG, Germany)

These short pitches will introduce diverse perspectives—from plasma process innovation and industrial coating solutions to equipment design and sustainable production strategies—thereby establishing a multidisciplinary springboard for further discussion.

The subsequent interactive dialogue between the audience and the panel, moderated by Jochen Schneider of RWTH Aachen University, will delve deeply into the opportunities and challenges associated with transitioning toward more sustainable surface engineering practices. Topics will include actionable pathways for reducing energy consumption, strengthening sustainability education across stakeholder groups, integrating circular-economy concepts, and improving the environmental footprint of coating technologies across their full life cycle. Through this collective exchange, the colloquium aims to underline the crucial role of continuous research, cross-sector collaboration, and forward-looking innovation in shaping a more sustainable future for the global surface engineering community.